What additional resources are being made available to the NHS specifically for treatment and prevention of chronic liver failure resulting …

Subject to national priorities and Health Department guidance, it is for NHS boards to assess the needs of their local populations, including those who suffer from chronic liver failure, and to allocate their considerable resources to provide services to meet those needs. The Health Department has, however, been in discussion with relevant Scottish clinicians and the voluntary sector about the development of regional Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) for the treatment of patients with hepatitis C. In the near future I expect the clinicians to submit an application to the department for funding to initiate the establishment of such MCNs. The Executive currently provides £8.1 million to NHS boards across Scotland to assist them in their work to prevent the spread of all bloodborne viruses, including hepatitis C. On 4 July last year, the Health Department staged a conference to highlight and discuss the long-term issues around care and service delivery for those affected by hepatitis C. At the conference, a new hepatitis C information pack for professionals and a leaflet for patients was launched. This information provides helpful and accurate advice on hepatitis C and clarifies certain issues, which are often misunderstood.